Random Philosophical Thoughts

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Doesn't this fold all decisions together, as if they're of equivalent significance? It seems to me that most of the key decisions, the ones that actually shape your life, are concious. Playing soccer isn't really the same thing as deciding where to live, if you see what I'm getting at.

But still most of your decisions (especialy the mundane ones) could be done from/influenced by subconscious...

When I think about it I am realy glad I dont have to consciously be in charge of my heartbeat for instance...

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

"Man can do what he wills but he can't will what he wills".

So what about if I will that I want to will something? I guess I cant.

 

[Mise]

I can force myself to watch Twilight but I can't force myself to want to watch it, basically.

 

[Narz]

Plenty. For instance atm I am reading Sri Aurobindos Triple transformation(part of letters on yoga, part III.). He is unique combination of schollar(studied at Cambrige) and yogi. He both posseses the wisdom of ancient seers and acknowledges science achievements and give space to intelectual/mental development. Finaly his yoga goes one step further than the traditional yogic paths and envisions new creation on earth and development of humanity. But it can be pretty heavy stuff yet quite simple at the same time.

http://www.sriaurobindoashram.org/ashram/sriauro/writings.php

Thanks, free stuff I can print is always goo (and I'm at my mother's house for the evening so I can use her printer).

Sounds up my alley. I don't really like stodgy traditional Inidan philosophy & I don't like anyone who's anti-science.

For example, I respect the Dalai Lama for saying something along the lines are "if scientific study shows the teachings are inaccurate we must change them", so far though science seems to show the the Buddha's ideas about meditation/self-control/balance/etc. are objectively healthy & a good idea. Ironically I was jogging at 5AM this morning on the edge of the woods & tripped on a tree branch & my little MP3 player went flying & even with my flashlight I could not find it. Ah, the perils of attachment!

I generally like Buddhist writings more than Indian ones but I'll give your guy a shot.

Edit : too much to print, any particular book (or section of one of those) that you recommend especially? "Essays Divine and Human" caught my eye.

In particular I draw your attention to the little essay therein called "Crop Rotation" (which of course has nothing to do with crops).

Glanced at it, looks entertaining so I printed it out as well.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Anyone else here who can't look at the term " crop rotation " without immediately being reminded of Neil helping Rik train for University Challenge?

 

[Narz]

"Man can do what he wills but he can't will what he wills".

Even doing what you will is pretty hard.

 

[Leoreth]

Epicurus is hardly the beginning. You'd need to pair him up with at least Plato and Aristotle, and, even then, modern philosophy doesn't make much sense without the 16th-18th century- Descartes, Hume, Kant, etc.- and even then you can't get a handle on a lot of contemporary philosophy without looking at Nietzsche, Sartre, Heidegger, etc. In all honestly, you're better reading an "introduction to Western philosophy" book of some sort than diving into any particular school or thinker, and try and make your way from there.

Ha, I guess one can't get away with imprecise statements concerning philosophy with you reading OT

... I wanted to suggest a classical alternative as opposed to Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, is all I wanted to say

 

[Dachs]

Anyone else here who can't look at the term " crop rotation " without immediately being reminded of Neil helping Rik train for University Challenge?

I can honestly say that whatever the hell you just said never crossed my mind.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

Well it requires that one has watched the classic British comedy "The Young Ones" , a not unreasonable premise . From there , the characters Rik and Neil go without saying , and the "crop rotation in the 14th century" scene is a ripper . Alas , not classic enough to warrant a YouTube clip.

 

[Tee Kay]

For example, I respect the Dalai Lama for saying something along the lines are "if scientific study shows the teachings are inaccurate we must change them"

"Come Kalamas; do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing, nor upon tradition, nor rumour, nor scripture, nor logic, nor philosophy, nor specious reasoning, nor preconceived notions, nor someone's seeming trustworthiness, nor upon the consideration, "This is what our teacher says".

"Kalamas, when you yourselves directly know, "This is unwholesome, this is blameworthy, this is condemned or censured by the wise, when accepted and practised lead to poverty and harm and suffering," then you should give them up.

"Kalamas, when you yourselves directly know, "These things are wholesome, blameless, praised by the wise; when adopted and carried out they lead to well-being, prosperity and happiness," then you should accept and practise them."

The Kalama Sutra is often over-hyped; still, I do find it a reasonably good guideline.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Edit : too much to print, any particular book (or section of one of those) that you recommend especially? "Essays Divine and Human" caught my eye.

I hope it will not be out of place if I post the first essay from the book as it mentions some of the topic already discussed here:

Certitudes
In the deep there is a greater deep, in the heights a greater
height. Sooner shall man arrive at the borders of infinity than at
the fulness of his own being. For that being is infinity, is God-
I aspire to infinite force, infinite knowledge, infinite bliss.
Can I attain it? Yes, but the nature of infinity is that it has no
end. Say not therefore that I attain it. I become it. Only so can
man attain God by becoming God.
But before attaining he can enter into relations with him.
To enter into relations with God is Yoga, the highest rapture &
the noblest utility. There are relations within the compass of the
humanity we have developed. These are called prayer, worship,
adoration, sacrifice, thought, faith, science, philosophy. There
are other relations beyond our developed capacity, but within
the compass of the humanity we have yet to develop. Those are
the relations that are attained by the various practices we usually
call Yoga.
We may not know him as God, we may know him as Nature,
our Higher Self, Infinity, some ineffable goal. It was so that Buddha
approached Him; so approaches him the rigid Adwaitin. He
is accessible even to the Atheist. To the materialist He disguises
Himself in matter. For the Nihilist he waits ambushed in the
bosom of Annihilation.

and the beginning of second essay on philosophy:

Philosophy
The knowledge which the man of pure intellect prefers to a more
active and mundane curiosity, has in its surroundings a certain
loftiness and serene detachment that cannot fail in their charm.
To withdraw from contact with emotion and life and weave a
luminous colourless shadowless web of thought, alone and far
away in the infinite azure empyrean of pure ideas, can be an
enthralling pastime fit for Titans or even for Gods. The ideas so
found have always their value and it is no objection to their truth
that, when tested by the rude ordeal of life and experience, they
go to pieces. All that inopportune disaster proves is that they are
no fit guides to ordinary human conduct; for material life which
is the field of conduct is only intellectual on its mountaintops; in
the plains and valleys ideas must undergo limitation by unideal
conditions and withstand the shock of crude sub-ideal forces.

Btw what are you doing 5 a.m. running?

 

[Narz]

I've been having a lot of trouble sleeping lately so I took a short jog.